Pro Bike Gallery: Jerome Clementz’s prototype Cannondale
No matter what bike he’s on, Clementz remains one of the smoothest riders on the EWS circuit. Photo by Eddie Clark
Jerome Clementz could ride a donkey and still be faster than most of us. But give the Frenchman a new prototype bike and look out podium. That’s exactly what happened at the most recent stop of the Enduro World Series in Aspen-Snowmass, Colorado, where the Cannondale Factory Team rider finished third behind Jared Graves (Specialized) and Nico Lau (Cube Action Team). Beneath Clementz was a yet-to-be-released Cannondale (probably a new Jekyll) that was first spotted earlier this year at a stop of the British Enduro Series. Mtbr got a better look at the new bike this time around. Scroll through the gallery below to see more.
Clementz makes some final adjustments to his set-up just before the start of stage 1 in Colorado. The bike he is aboard looks to be a 160mm 27.5 enduro rig that is the likely successor to the current Cannondale Jekyll.
With a carbon fiber front triangle, it’s clear this bike is very close to production, as those molds don’t come cheap. Already Clementz in running SRAM’s new 12-speed single chainring Eagle drivetrain, which made climbing in Colorado a little easier on the legs and lungs. Other key spec include a RockShox Lyric fork, RockShox Super Deluxe shock, and Michelin tires wrapped around SRAM Roam wheels.
The biggest difference between this bike and the current Jekyll is the absence of the Dyad pull shock. Instead a conventional (likely metric) RockShox shock is mounted higher on the frame, and is connected to the downtube.
Clementz had some back luck on Day 1, but stayed steady all weekend, never finishing worse than 12th on any stage. (And yes, some pros use tire levers.) Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
The first versions of the rocker link appeared to be alloy, but that’s since changed. Could this one be made of carbon? Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
The guess here is that Cannondale is stepping away from the adjustable pull-shock design, but the single-pivot with rocker link set-up remains. You’ll also notice that this frame actually has mounts for a bottle cage on the seat tube behind the rocker link. Given the current trend in bike design, we’re guessing it’s also slacker and longer than the previous iteration.
Clementz barrels his way toward an EWS podium — and third place in the current overall rankings with three races to go. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
The 2013 Enduro World Series champ was ready to party at the end of the weekend in Colorado. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
After two long days of racing that No. 3 plate signified right where Clementz ended up. You’ll also notice some very stealth internal cable routing.
Clementz was ready for a little bubbly bath after racing in Colorado was done.
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